Room-sharing with mother can be harmful for the baby

A latest research has found that babies who sleep with their mothers beyond 4 months may face various health problems. Babies may be associated with less sleep or unsafe sleeping practices. Researchers in United States of America found that babies who sleep even after four months are more likely to have blankets, pillows or other objects which are not recommended by the doctors. This could increase chances of sudden infant death syndrome which leaves an unexplained death of a child less than one year of age.

"Waiting too long (for room separation) can have negative effects on sleep quality for both parents and infants in both the short and long term," said Ian Paul, Professor of Pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine, Pennsylvania, US. Paul further added, "Inadequate infant sleep can lead to obesity, poor sleep later in life and can negatively affect parents."

Researchers used data in the study from the INSIGHT which included 279 mothers along with their babies, who gave birth at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre. The study showed resulted that children who slept independently in their own room averaged 45 minutes longer stretches of continuous sleep than those who shared a room with a parent.

The findings published in the journal Pediatrics, the gap widened to one hour and 40 minutes at nine months. Babies who shared a room with their parents were more likely to be moved into their bed overnight at both the ages.

The result challenged the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) recommendations for parents to keep babies in the same room with them to sleep for the first year to prevent sudden death of their children.

"Our findings showing poorer sleep-related outcomes and more unsafe sleep practices for babies who room-share beyond early infancy suggest that the AAP should reconsider and revise the recommendation pending evidence to support it," Paul said.